NHRA: Brakes won't slow Brittany Force's drive at Winternationals

POMONA – Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the opening day of the NHRAseason-opening Winternationals on Thursday was the starting line problems of Top Fuel dragster rookie Brittany Force.

The 26-year-old daughter of 15-time Funny Car champion John Force was disqualified from making here first official NHRA when her Castrol-sponsored dragster rolled through the beams, the result of a brake issue following her burnout.

“I have had a problem before with the brakes before. There have been times when I have been pulling on the brakes and the car hasn't stopped,” Brittany said after climbing out of the first dragster under the John Force Racing bannner. “ That time was the worst instance. I was pulling on the brakes harder than I was in testing and I couldn't get the car stopped.

“That was the reason I did a longer burn out was because I was pulling on it and it kept pulling down track until I got it stopped. Rolling into stage I had a feeling I was going to roll the lights.”

Leah Pruett of Cherry Valley was in the opposite lane and did get down the 1,000 feet, finishoing in 4.018 seconds at 251.86 for the 11th spot in the field. Pruett, who started in Jr. Dragster, previously races in the nostaglia class and in Pro Mod.

As for Brittany, it was disappointing.

“I really just wanted to get that first run out of the way and now I have to want a little longer,” she said.

That will be later today in the second of four qualifying runs that determine Sunday's field.

Grateful for sunshine

Funny Car driver Bob Tasca III is enjoying the Southern California weather more than anyone at Fairplex. Just a week ago, his d hometown of Cranston, R.I. was hit with 27 inches of snow iduring a New England blizzard . It took Tasca and two others 48 hours to dig his family's Ford dealership out of the drifts.

“I'm happy to see something other than snow,” said Tasca. “Let me tell you, I've been thinking about the Winternationals since the Finals in November. At the end of the day, whe you're a driver, the only thing you really want to do is get back in your race car.

“I was happy to get some seat time over the winter and am glad to be back in Pomona. I have a lot of confidence in this Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Shelby Mustang and my guys. We're ready to go.”